B3 jacket

Posted:
By: Steve.
On: 05/28/2009

Hi,i wonder if any one can help me.I have recently purchased an original B3 jacket which i think may of belonged to a member of the 615 squadron of the 401st bomb group stationed at deenethorpe.I would much like to trace the original owner.The jacket has a fient squadron patch painted on left breast with the name don written below in white ink.If anyone has any information as to who it may of belonged to it would be most appreciated.yours hopefully.S Ritchie.

Re: B3 jacket

Posted:
By: Donald Byers
On: 05/28/2009

Go to this url http://www.401bg.org/401bgweb/history.html

The 615th BS patch/insignia is the second one down and try to compare it. Unless you can identify the patch it would be very hard to try and trace it. In addition I don't know how many Don's on in the 615th but that would leave a number to try and track down unless more information is available.

Thanks for posting
Don Byers

Re: B3 jacket

Posted:
By: stephen ritchie
On: 05/28/2009

Hi don thanks for reply,the dan knight pilot of mary alice is stated in "American flight jackets"as being named don knight,do you know which is correct?.Its hard to tell but it looks like the 615 insignia is the only one it could be,do you know where i might obtain a list of crew members that includes first names.there doesnt look to be many dons.thanks again your help is most appreciated.steve.

Re: B3 jacket

Posted:
By: Donald Byers
On: 05/29/2009

Steve,

I went back and looked in a copy of an old 401st 1989 Directory I purchased and his name is listed as Dan Knight.

Sorry

Re: B3 jacket

Posted:
By: stephen ritchie
On: 05/29/2009

Thanks for reply,but could you let me know if there is such a record of 615 sq members with full names shown.steve

Re: B3 jacket

Posted:
By: Donald Byers
On: 05/29/2009

Sorry I skiped that answer. I will have to look as all the information I have just gives the first and middle initial. I will have to look at another source and the 401st has the same source I have except one. I will get back with you.

Don

Re: B3 jacket

Posted:
By: Donald Byers
On: 05/29/2009

Ok my other source gave me some names:
Sgt Don D. Zirbel (flew a lot)
T/Sgt Don H. Martin (Flew a lot)
Sgt Donald W. Gimble
Sgt Donald N. Sweep
T/Sgt Donald Draginis
1st Lt. Donald L. Rustand
T/Sgt Donald B. Roberts
Sgt Donald E Rouse
S/Sgt Donald O. Kotila

Some pages unreadable and you also have to know that between 1943 to March 44 records were not kept very good.

Don